Lives of Scripture

Porcius Festus succeeded Felix as governor of Judea and, within days, was pressed by Jewish leaders to transfer Paul to Jerusalem for trial -- a request driven by a secret plot to ambush and kill Paul along the road (Acts 25:1-3). Festus instead invited the accusers to bring their case to him in Caesarea, where the unresolved charges from Paul's earlier hearing under Felix were repeated without solid proof (25:4-8). Uncertain how to frame charges for a case he did not understand, involving "a certain Jesus, who was dead, but whom Paul asserted to be alive," Festus asked if Paul was willing to go to Jerusalem for trial instead (25:9, 19-20). Paul, recognizing the danger and his rights as a Roman citizen, formally appealed his case directly to Caesar, a request Festus, after conferring with his council, was obligated to honor (25:10-12). When King Agrippa and his sister Bernice arrived to pay their respects to the new governor, Festus used the occasion to have Paul present his case again, hoping for help framing the charges to send to Rome (25:13-27). As Paul spoke of Christ's suffering, resurrection, and the light proclaimed to Jews and Gentiles, Festus interrupted loudly: "Paul, you are out of your mind! Your great learning is driving you mad" (26:24) -- a baffled reaction from a Roman official encountering the gospel's central claims. Paul's appeal ultimately sent him on to Rome, fulfilling what Jesus had earlier told him he must do (Acts 23:11; 27:1).